PM Modi in Jalandhar, Terror Module Busted, and a Student's Winter Riding Innovation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July visit to Jalandhar saw him inaugurate the refurbished Jalandhar Cantonment railway station and flag off the Sant Ravidas Express — his second visit to the city in just six months. The same week, Punjab Police dismantled an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International terror module and recovered a 1.3-kilogram IED, while the Vajra Corps led solemn Kargil Vijay Diwas tributes honouring soldiers who died in the 1999 war.
🗳️ PM Modi Inaugurates Jalandhar Cantonment Station, Flags Off Sant Ravidas Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Jalandhar Cantonment railway station and flagged off the Sant Ravidas Express during his visit to Punjab in July 2026. This was the Prime Minister's second visit to Jalandhar in six months, a frequency political observers read as part of the BJP's strategic outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab state assembly elections. The refurbished Cantonment station represents a meaningful upgrade to the city's rail infrastructure and passenger experience. The Sant Ravidas Express carries particular symbolic weight given the deep veneration of Sant Ravidas among the Doaba region's large Dalit community. Modi addressed a public gathering during the visit, speaking on development themes and outlining central government investments in Punjab. The inauguration was part of a series of rail-related unveilings the Prime Minister conducted across the Punjab trip. Analysts noted the timing carefully, as the BJP continues to seek traction in a state governed by the Aam Aadmi Party since 2022. The visit drew large crowds and extensive security arrangements, with city-wide preparations visible in the days preceding the event. Jalandhar's importance as a key political and commercial centre in the Doaba region keeps it a regular feature in national political calculations. [10]
🗳️ Punjab Police Bust ISI-Backed BKI Terror Module, Seize 1.3 Kg IED in Jalandhar
Punjab Police dismantled an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International terror module operating in Jalandhar, recovering a 1.3-kilogram improvised explosive device in the process. The operation marks a significant security success against cross-border militancy that continues to target the state. Police identified the module as operating with active support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, with handlers directing activities from across the border. The recovered IED was assessed as capable of causing substantial damage if detonated at a target. Jalandhar police coordinated the bust using actionable intelligence inputs, leading to arrests of module operatives. The BKI is a banned organisation with historical ties to the Khalistan movement and has been linked to previous security incidents across Punjab. Authorities are now investigating the network to identify additional members and determine how the explosive was sourced and brought into the state. Officials said the operation likely prevented a serious incident. The bust reflects the persistent challenge Punjab faces from cross-border militant networks even as the state's overall security environment has stabilised in recent years. The investigation is continuing, with police pursuing leads to uncover the full scope of the module's planned activities. [1]
🪔 Vajra Corps Honours Kargil Martyrs on Vijay Diwas in Jalandhar
The Vajra Corps, the army formation headquartered in Jalandhar, held a solemn tribute ceremony to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas, the annual commemoration of India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War. The ceremony honoured officers and soldiers who gave their lives defending India's territorial integrity in the high-altitude conflict fought against Pakistani military incursions in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. Jawans, senior officers, and families of martyrs gathered at the event to pay their respects. Kargil Vijay Diwas falls on July 26 each year, marking the day in 1999 when India officially declared victory after two months of intense mountain warfare. The Vajra Corps has a distinguished history in India's northern defence establishment, and its Vijay Diwas tributes carry particular resonance given the corps' proximity to the Line of Control. Senior military officers laid wreaths and addressed those present on the enduring significance of the sacrifices made. The gathering also served as a moment for serving personnel and the civilian community of Jalandhar to collectively remember the fallen. Families of martyrs were accorded special recognition during the proceedings. The 1999 Kargil conflict resulted in significant Indian military casualties before Indian forces successfully recaptured all positions held by the intruders. [4]
🎓 Class XII Student Builds Exhaust-Powered Heating Suit for Cold-Weather Bikers
A Class XII student from MGN School, Adarsh Nagar, Jalandhar has developed an innovative heating suit designed to protect motorcycle riders from the extreme cold of north India's winters. Prabhgun Singh Middha created the suit under the guidance of his teacher Sukhdev Banjara, engineering it to harness heat generated by the motorcycle's exhaust silencer and channel that warmth to the rider. The concept addresses a genuine hazard faced by riders in Punjab and high-altitude regions, where severe winter cold can dangerously affect a motorcyclist's alertness, grip, and reaction time. By utilising waste heat already produced by the bike's engine system, the suit avoids the need for external batteries or a separate power source, keeping the design practical and low-cost. The invention was developed as a student science and innovation project and has attracted recognition for its real-world potential. Faculty at the school praised Middha's ability to identify an everyday problem and engineer a working solution around it. The project reflects a broader culture of student-led practical innovation growing in Punjab's schools. Those involved noted that with further refinement, the suit could be adapted for commercial production to benefit riders across colder parts of the country. [2]
Sources: [10] The New Indian Express · [1] India Today · [4] The Tribune · [2] The Tribune
